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Main Disconnect Question
What are the requirements for a main disconnect on 200 amp service?
Is a disconnect required at the meter or will a 200 amp panel with a disconnect be correct? The panel box is not located on an interior wall right behind the meter, it is at least 20 ft away from the meter. The main wire going to the panel would always be hot with no way to turn if off without calling the power company or pulling the meter.
Thanks for any input.
I hate to seem like a jerk, but you are the building inspector. What do your local codes say?
According to the NEC you would need a disconnect "installed at a readily accessible location either outside of a building or structure or inside nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors."
Originally Posted by Speedy Petey
Petey
Ever seen a "building inspector" that had enough sense to get in out of the rain?
Mike , you know we will turn you down anytime! Rain or Shine. And enjoy it! Mel
See here is one that admitts he will stay out in the rain even if it is just to turn someone down.
Mel We all know that the inspectors are like the mail carriers. Neither rain or snow will keep an inspector from doing his job.
Last edited by jwelectric; 01-20-2009 at 11:15 AM.
My response.
If my name was Obama I guess you would think I was the President of the United States?
In MA the main wires going to the panel are always hot unless the meter is pulled
Are you the President?
DIY Handyman (not 4 hire)
I have enough to do to my own house
I have absolutely NO idea what this means.
I have absolutely NO idea what this means.
Maybe Imposter? Fraud? ETC?
Oh. DUH!!!!!!!!!
No jax, but if you come on a home improvement message board with a name like yours why would we have reason to think anything else???
disconnect
Here, there MUST be a main disconnect at the meter so the power company can disconnect the house if they wish to avoid power surges into the building. IT can be a simple disconnect, or the house panel with a main disconnect, but must be able to disable the entire building.
It's stupid and IMO dangerous but NEC allows it.The main wire going to the panel would always be hot with no way to turn if off without calling the power company or pulling the meter.
Like HJ says, you can't do it in AZ. In some places you can just run exposed cable tacked to the side of the building.
Would that disconnect be the meter itself?
Or inside the meter base?
Our Main panel is in the basement
The meter is directly outside - up about 16" on the outside wall
DIY Handyman (not 4 hire)
I have enough to do to my own house
Why would you say this?
Very few areas require an outside shutoff. Because you are one of them you think it is stupid not to have it.
That is like saying Chicago is right for requiring all conduit in a residence and the rest of the country is stupid.
Why would you say this?
IMO means "In my opinion"......right?
I can offer an explanation but it's not really up for debate because it is simply my opinion.
I have seen numerous fires on cable WITH protection, especially higher amperage protection like water heater/range and AC cable. A fault on an unfused/protected cable would certainly be likely to cause a fire.
Things are always happening to cables in peoples houses. How many sawsalled cables have you repaired/replaced? Houses are constantly being renovated and often by the homeowners themselves. I think it is only prudent to provide overcurrent protection on any cable run inside a house or within reach of people in normal circunstances.
A lot of places in the world have seriously substandard electrical systems, You look at the pics from India and think "That is stupid" not because you live in a place with a reasonably safe system but because you know and have seen the dangers involved.Very few areas require an outside shutoff. Because you are one of them you think it is stupid not to have it.
Chicago?
It is my opinion that conduit and wire systems are more safe than NM systems but I do think NM systems are safe enough.
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